Bio: Fair, Rufus (1823 – 1902)

Contact: crystal@wiclarkcountyhistory.org.

Surnames: Fair, Thomas

----Source: History of Eau Claire County Wisconsin (1914) page 706

Rufus Fair, deceased, attained to a position of prominence with the traveling public as proprietor of the Chapin Hall House at Hudson, Wisconsin. Coming of an old New England family, he inherited the thrift, sagacity and broad common sense characteristic of the people of that region, and although he had many disadvantages to contend with in early life, and obstacles to overcome in later life, he achieved to a far greater success than falls to the lot of the average man, and had long been one of the honored citizens of Hudson and St. Croix county. He was born in Vermont, August 16, 1823. His boyhood was spent in his home state until he reached the age of sixteen, when in 1839, he went to Pennsylvania, where he was employed for some time at lumbering. He later engaged in the hotel business and for more than thirty years did he conduct some of the noted hotels in Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. His first venture as hotel proprietor was at Wellsville, Pa., where he remained some six years. He then went to Blassburg, Pa., and for fourteen years conducted a hotel at that place. In 1879 he came to Wisconsin, locating first in Eau Claire. In 1881 he went to Menomonie, Dunn county, where he became proprietor of the Menomonie House which he successfully conducted for several years, then purchased the Merchants' hotel of the same place. After the destruction by fire of this well known hostelry, his second experience of the kind while a resident of Menomonie, he went to Hudson and St. Croix county, and was there proprietor of the Chapin Hall House until 1895 when he retired from active business and returned to Eau Claire and made his home with his son, Frank R. Farr until his death which occurred October 20, 1902.

Mr. Farr was married in Tioga county, Pa., in 1861 to Miss Eleanor O. Thomas, to whom two children were born, Frank R., an attorney, and John F., a practicing physician, both of whom are prominent in their respective professions in Eau Claire. Mr. Farr was prominent in Masonic circles, was a Knights Templar and also a member of the Odd Fellows. Since the death of her husband, Mrs. Farr, who is a member of the Rebeckah Lodge, has made her home with her son, Frank R., and enjoys the friendship and esteem of a large circle of friends and acquaintances.